Colon Cleansers

What is Colon?
The large intestine consists of the cecum and ascending colon, the transverse
colon, the descending colon, and the sigmoid colon, which is connected
to the rectum.

Intestinal contents are liquid when they reach the large intestine but
are normally solid by the time they reach the rectum as stool. The many
bacteria that inhabit the large intestine can further digest some material,
creating gas. Bacteria in the large intestine also make some important
substances, such as vitamin K, which plays important role in blood clotting.
These bacteria are necessary for healthy intestinal function, and some
diseases and antibiotics can upset the balance among the different types
of bacteria in the large intestine.

The large intestine does not undergo much change with age. Constipation
becomes more common. This may be due partly to a slight slowing in the
movement of contents through the large intestine and modest decrease in
the contractions of the rectum when filled with stool.

Colon cleansers

One segment of the digestives category that has been growing recently is colon cleansers, although there is some controversy about their safety and efficacy. Herbal colon cleansing products have been surging in popularity.

Colon cleansing helps to remove bits of undigested food and toxic materials that get deposited in the colon over time. Among benefits claimed for colon cleansing are prevention of growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines, relief of constipation and other gastrointestinal ailments.

Complications and risks

People who have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure, are advised not to take colon cleansing supplements because of the risk of electrolyte imbalance.

Many colon cleanser supplements contain laxatives, which can remove fluids from the body and cause dehydration.